CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00975A016000080001-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 16
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 17, 2003
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: April 17, 1970
• Content Type: REPORT

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DIRECTORATE OF
INTELLIGENCE
Central Intelligence Bulletin
State Dept. review completed
Secret
50.
17 April 1970
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No. 0092/70
17 April 1970
Central Intelligence Bulletin
CONTENTS
Indochina: The Communist powers may be moving to-
ward an nitiative for a conference on Indochina.
(Page 1)
Laos: The Communists have launched a new round of
harassing attacks. (Page 3)
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Malaysia: A leading Malay newspaper has come close
to suggesting a military coup. (Page 5)
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Canada: Officials have reacted unfavorably to a US
note on the Arctic. (Page 7)
Dominican Republic: Balaguer and the opposition par-
ties have reached an accord. (Page 8)
Bolivia: Deteriorating security and impending mili-
tary command changes could trigger a political crisis.
(Page 9)
Colombia: There is a close race in Sunday's presi-
denti.al election. (Page 10)
Yugoslavia - Communist China: Ambassador named
(Page 11
Brazil: US investment (Page 11)
Arms Control: CBW amendment (Page 12)
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*Indochina: There are some suggestions that the
Communist powers may be moving toward a new initi-
ative for a conference on Indochina.
Soviet Ambassador to the UN Malik appeared to
be testing the diplomatic atmosphere in his remarks
in New York yesterday. Without stating that the
USSR would join with the UK in calling for a Geneva-
type conference, he noted that the Soviet Union was
"paying the closest attention" to the recent French
proposal for such a meeting.
His suggestion that "only a new Geneva conference
can bring about a correct solution and a relaxation
of tension in the Indochina peninsula," however,
appears to carry Moscow beyond its previous public
position and may presage some move to substitute a
larger conference for the unproductive talks in
Paris.
This more positive Soviet position on the ques-
tion of Indochina talks almost certainly has been
coordinated with Hanoi. Moscow has shown great
reluctance to move far beyond North Vietnam on ques-
tions of this nature. Moreover, Le Duc Tho has been
in the Soviet capital consulting with the Russians
for the past six days, and other Vietnamese are due
to join him in time for the forthcoming Lenin cen-
tennial.
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At the same time, Hanoi will want to discuss the
question with the Chinese. 25X1'
First Secretary Le Duan is en route
to the Moscow celebrations. A stop in Peking would
allow him an opportunity to explore the question
with the Chinese. I 25X1
*Because of the shortage of time for preparation of this item, the analytic
interpretation presented here has been produced by the Central Intelli-
gence Agency without the participation of the Bureau of Intelligence and
Research, Department of State or of the Defense Intelligence Agency,
Department of Defense.
17 Apr 70 Central Intelligence Bulletin
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Muting
-Scu i
ThaTam
?Bleung
Bouam
Long*
~pn OKhang
Kho
Communists step up,
Lb harassing attacks
Tiekig
Xieng
houangville
:Government-held location.
?Communist-held location
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Laos: The Communists have launched a new
round of harassing attacks against Vang Pao's head-
quarters complex.
Long Tieng came under enemy rocket fire early
yesterday, forcing a temporary closure of the air-
strip. The nearby government base at Sam Thong was
also shelled, and one of its supporting outposts
was attacked and overrun by North Vietnamese infan-
trymen. In addition, guerrilla defenders of a po-
sition just north of the recently recaptured govern-
merit base at Tha Tam Bleung beat off a sharp ground
attack by a company of enemy regulars.
Vang Pao is taking steps to counter the growing
North Vietnamese buildup in his area. Two govern-
merit battalions yesterday successfully assaulted
several enemy positions along a ridge some 12 miles
northeast of Long Tieng. Plans are also under way
to saturate the entire region with company-sized
patrols which will have artillery and air support
readily available.
17 Apr 70 Central Intelligence Bulletin
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Malaysia: A leading Malay newspaper has come
close to suggesting a military coup by discussing
successful military take-overs in other countries.
An editorial in a recent issue of the largest
Malay language newspaper in the country, one which
is often used as a mouthpiece by the leading gov-
ernment Malay party, praised the country's security
forces and claimed that more and more educated
people are joining the military and the police.
The strongest note in the article is a statement
asking: "Is it not a fact that world history has
shown that there are times when civil administra-
tion has to be taken over by police and military
such. as in Burma, Pakistan, and other countries in
the world? Whether they like it or not they have
to shoulder responsibility."
A high-ranking military officer was quoted as
one source for the article, but the statements re-
garding military ;participation in the government
are unsourced. They appear to reflect earlier ru-
mors of dissatisfaction within the Malay-dominated
military structure over the government's failure
to promote adequately Malay interests vis-a-vis the
Chinese. The story may have been floated as a
trial balloon at a time when a number of top civil-
ian leaders are abroad.
Foreign Affairs Ghazali, to gain support among the
In any case, the armed forces are unlikely at
present to act against the government. The edito-
rial may be an attempt by an opportunistic govern-
ment leader, most probably Permanent Secretary for
military.
17 Apr 70
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Canada: Government officials have reacted un-
favorably to the US note of 14 April that took issue
with Canada's draft legislation on pollution controls
in the Arctic and on extension of its territorial
seas to 12 miles.
External Affairs Ministry Under Secretary
Ritchie told a US Embassy representative that the
tone and at least part of the substance of the note
strengthen the hand of those whom the US would not
wish to strengthen.
Ritchie also criticized the US call for an in-
ternational conference on the Arctic in which Canada
was asked only "to join in." He did welcome, how-
ever, the State Department's public statement of 15
April, which he found considerably different in tone
from the text of the formal note.
There has been little international response
so far to the proposed conference.
to a US Embassy o icer that while he could not speak
for his superiors, Stockholm "will want to artici-
patE!" in a conference.
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*Dominican Republic: The accord reached yester-
day between President Balaguer and the opposition
parties overshadowed the generally peaceful return
of Juan Bosch.
Balaguer, who is seeking re-election on 16 May,
temporarily resigned the presidency last night as
part of an agreement to guarantee free elections and
end the opposition's threatened electoral boycott.
Presidential candidate and current Vice President
Lora also resigned to allow the president of the
Supreme Court, a respected political neutral, to
assume provisional leadership. The agreement per-
mits Balaguer to reassume power on 22 May, by which
time the election results will presumably be vali-
dated, or at any time in the interim in the event
of a threat to public order.
Former president Bosch's heralded return passed
without serious disturbances, although two were re-
portedly killed and several wounded in another con-
fused incident between police and crowds attracted
by his arrival. Bosch's plans are probably charac-
teristically ill-defined. He has expressed no in-
terest in public office and, in any event, the in-
scription period for candidates has ended. His
party, the major opposition Dominican Revolutionary
Party (PRD), apparently still plans to abstain from
the elections.
Bosch and the PRD may nonetheless work toward
a tactical alliance supporting an opposition candi-
date. The other parties, although anxious to reap
the benefits of PRD support at the polls, are likely
to hold Bosch himself at arm's length politically.
They are aware that Balaguer would like nothing
better than to tar the opposition with his extremist
image and repeat his successful electoral strategy
of four years ago, when he handily defeated Bosch
in a two-man race.
*Because of the shortage of time for preparation of this item, the analytic
interpretation presented here has been produced by the Central Intelli-
gence Agency without the participation of the Bureau of Intelligence and
Research, Department of State.
17 Apr 70 Central Intelligence Bulletin
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Bolivia: The deteriorating internal security
situation and rumors of impending changes in the
military high command could trigger a political
crisis.
The armed forces are becoming increasingly con-
cerned about the government's permissive attitude
toward spreading student disruptions and growing
labor problems. The "revolutionary committees,"
which were recently formed by students at several
Bolivian universities to reform the educational
system, have turned to violence in the past three
days. The government's mild reaction to the agi-
tation has not appeased leftist students, who main-
tain they have just begun to oppose the government.
The US Embassy reports that there is widespread
speculation in La Paz that radical cabinet ministers
are behind both the student "revolution" and the
mine and petroleum workers' demands for a "social-
ist state." There are also rumors that General
Miranda, the well-liked commander of the army, is
one of 40 top military officers to be reassigned.
If any or all of these rumors prove to be true,
a showdown between the military and the radicals in
the government would probably occur. General Miranda,
who appears to have the support of the crucial troop
commands, reportedly is highly agitated and has
termed the present political situation "extremely
dangerous."
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Colombia: National Front candidate Misael
Pastrana is in a close race with his main challenger,
former dictator General Rojas Pinilla, in Sunday's
presidential election.
Pastrana's chances have been strengthened by
the support given him by the widely respected ex-
president, Alberto Lleras. The Front, which has
governed since Rojas' ouster in 1957, is preparing
its political machine to bring in a heavy rural vote
for the lackluster Pastrana.
General Rojas derives most of his strength from
the urban areas and the poor. He also has signifi-
cant support among some elements of the military and
police. His rallies have attracted far greater
crowds than Pastrana's.
The campaign has been orderly, but serious
disturbances could develop if Rojas loses by a
small mar in
military recently acquire riot control equip-
ment and should be able to cope with any disturb-
ances.
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Yugoslavia - Communist China: President Tito
yesterday named Colonel General Bogdan Orescanin as
ambassador to Peking, underscoring the gradual im-
provement in Yugoslav-Chinese relations. Belgrade
announced last November that the two had agreed "in
principle" to exchange ambassadors. Orescanin is a
54-year-old career officer with experience in de-
fense and foreign affairs. Peking has not yet in-
dicated when it will reciprocate by sending its own
envoy to Belgrade. Nevertheless, the Chinese prob-
ably welcome the new appointment, which complements
China's recent efforts to increase its diplomatic
leverage in areas sensitive to the USSR.
Brazil: The voluntary entry of US Steel into
partnership with one of Brazil's largest government-
owned companies will set a new investment pattern
for extractive industry in Brazil and perhaps for
other Latin American countries. US Steel has just
announced that it will sign a contract to exploit
rich iron ore deposits in the Amazon region. Its
Brazilian partner will handle the marketing. The
US company views the joint venture as potentially
one of the world's largest operations in ore produc-
tion?
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Arms Control: Poland, Hungary, and Mongolia
have submitted at the Geneva disarmament talks an
amendment to the Soviet draft convention banning
the development of chemical and biological weapons.
Their initiative is a response to criticism that
the Soviet draft lacked suitable provisions for
verification of compliance with the treaty prohi-
bitions. It would refer complaints of alleged vio-
lations to the UN Security Council, which could
order on-site inspections. Most of the other Geneva
conferees are not likely to regard the amendment as
an adequate verification measure.
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